Posts Tagged ‘how to’

If you hang out with nutrition hipsters and supplement snobs like me (I’m kidding… or am I?…) long enough you’ll end up taking part in the game of:

“If you could only take ______ while stranded on an island, what would it be!?”

The blank ______ could be anything health related. ‘1 herb’ or ‘2 kitchen tools’ or in the case of the following fun and insight-giving video, it’s ‘3 consumables.’ Asked and answered by mua (though I’ve been asked this question about twice yearly by many dedicated individuals interested in cracking their code of everlasting vitality & youth (which is also the name of a product I co-created by the way), every year, for the past 12 years and I admittedly have changed my answers many times). So take my top 3 survival consumables** video with a grain of sea salt and a light immortal heart.

What 3 essentials would you take to your desolate island to make it paradise?

To your greatest health!

Christian Bates

**Disclaimer: Results may vary from individual to individual, based on health conditions, diet, weight, physical exercise and lifestyle habits. These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA, and are for informational and educational use only. Our products are not intended to diagnose, treat or cure any disease. Individuals taking medications and those with known medical conditions, as well as pregnant or breastfeeding women, should consult with their holistic physician before using these or any nutritional products.

In this article, not only will you discover 2 of the world’s greatest immune strengthening herbs, you’ll find what they contain: an immensely important category of nutrients that governments don’t mention in their Recommended Dietary Allowance, but are very important for our health.

We often think of our body as this unit which needs certain minimums of macronutrients and micronutrients.

But, it is a whole unit made up of interconnected parts: each part thrives on an array of notable nutrients.

I’m a white blood cell, hear me roar… or peep?

It’s strange: Many of these body parts and systems are just not talked about with regard to our daily diet. Each system of your body has spent a lifetime malnourished (sorry but it’s true – continue reading and we can change this quickly!) due to the modern westernized diet which lacks variety, trace minerals, medicinal substances, and is loaded with toxins.

Let’s get right up close to the most important system in your body today: your IMMUNE SYSTEM.

Some might say it’s tied in 1st place with your endocrine (hormones) system.

This complex army needs to be fed daily to fulfill its lifelong double-sided challenge:

1. How to neutralize pathogens: because to not means the body is in a Hypo-Immunological state, susceptible to colds, flues, candida overgrowth and more severe disease-causing pathogens.

AND

2. How to efficiently rid the body of (while remaining “cool”) toxins and allergens: because to not means the body is in a HYPER-immune state, causing inflammation and autoimmune takeover.**

Every moment your body has a new micro-terrain of pathogens, allergens, and toxins to deal with, so your immune system must be able to fulfill both ends of the spectrum (Do: attack foreign invaders; Do not attack human self) without going out of balance (hypo and hyper).

Great, we’ll just take some immune-stimulating drugs and some immune-suppressants, and we’ll be balanced, right? NO! Thankfully, nature found a way: We must consume natural substances which have a DOUBLE-DIRECTIONAL effect on the immune system. Did you feed your immune system today?

Chaga mushroom growing on a birch tree ready to harvest

ENTER: Medicinal mushrooms and adaptogenic herbs – most notable the top dogs of the fungi kingdom Reishi mushroom and Chaga mushroom. Hundreds upon hundreds of scientific studies, thousands of years and millions of people’s multi-generational use has placed these 2 mushrooms as the most successful immune system enhancements of humanity.**
Should everyone be consuming Reishi and Chaga everyday for a robust immune system, long life, mental calm and clarity, and peak physical performance? Read on to decide for yourself.

Polysaccharides (multi-carbohydrate) aren’t just fiber – many of these “essential healing sugars,” like beta-glucans, have complex structures that fit into the receptor sites of your immune system and train the immune system to do a better job. Countless studies have demonstrated that polysaccharides and herb extracts and superfood extracts high in polysaccharides promote a revitalizing amount of immune system support to humans and animals, help fight off mutagens and disease, and promote a healthy homeostasis within the body.**

Reishi mushrooms

Medicinal mushrooms (Reishi, Chaga, Turkey-Tail, Cordyceps, Royal Sun Agaricus, Shiitake, Lion’s Mane, Maitake, etc.) are the quintessential source of polysaccharides. Reishi and Chaga are considered the world’s greatest mushrooms. Therefore, anyone interested in the immunological and revitalizing benefits of polysaccharides should go to extracts of these two mushrooms first and consume them every day.

What really makes these herbs over the top is that they are truly tonics: you can take them daily with no negative side effects. They work immediately and cumulatively over a lifetime.

Reishi is the Queen of mushrooms and Chaga is King.

Both are considered the mushrooms of immortality within the legend and lore of Chinese Medicine, specifically Taoist Tonic Herbalism, as well as in Siberian tradition.

Reishi (Ganoderma lucidum), after inoculating a tree or medium of dead plant matter with its mycelial growth, produces a beautiful shiny red fruitbody. The fruitbody (literally the fungi’s reproductive organ) and the spores it secretes are LOADED with polysaccharides and rare myco-chemicals that feed the immune system.

The subjective effect of reishi is particularly calming while deeply energizing. That isn’t an oxymoronic statement. The best foods and herbs in the world should make you feel that way: deeply energized (without feeling stimulated), mentally nourished and relaxed.

Chaga (Inonotus obliquus) prefers to inoculate living trees, usually birch, in a mostly symbiotic (arguably not parasitic or decomposing) relationship. Chaga is rich in polysaccharides and has countless Russian scientific studies to back its effects. Chaga is darkly pigmented with an ORAC (antioxidant scale) off the charts. It is perhaps the highest antioxidant herb ever that is safe to consume daily.

Both mushrooms are polypores, a variety of mushrooms which have tiny holes (or poly-pores) on their underside (instead of gills) which secrete spores. Within the herb-loving and myco-phile world, polypores are considered very evolved and benevolent mushrooms (compared to mildews and yeasts).

ALL MEDICINAL MUSHROOMS FIGHT CANDIDA!

They don’t feed Candida overgrowth – unlike the fallacies you may have heard.

In order for a mushroom to survive in the wild and claim a tree for itself, it must have anti-fungal properties to compete with the other fungi. A pure extract of Reishi and Chaga has nothing in it to feed candida overgrowth or other fungal infections – it can only fend off such overgrowths in the body.

It’s ideal for just about everyone to consume Reishi and Chaga every day for a robust immune system, long life, mental calm and clarity, and peak physical performance.**

Speaking of such benefits, I’d like to share with you my top 2 sources for these top 2 immune strengthening medicinal mushrooms.

You see, I’ve dedicated my life to this area of study. I search the world to find only the best of the best, elite-quality, and most potent healing substances possible. Herbs for connoisseurs made by connoisseurs. In the past 10 years, I’ve tried countless Reishi and Chaga products – and let me tell you – most of them are made cheaply and are not very potent! However, I know for certain that I now have the absolute best: Medicinal mushroom extracts that meet and exceed the specifications that all the medicinal research and scientific studies use.

I’ve carefully chosen powerful doses of my signature…

and my

100% Certified Organic JUNCAO (method of growing mushrooms on an outdoor composted substrate of up to 40 different herbs and grasses – NOT on logs or sawdust) Reishi fruit body triple-hot-water-extract and cracked-cell-wall spores.

These are the heavy hitters. But I take the application strategy of these extracts to an even greater level. I synergies them with other same-high-quality medicinal mushroom and tonic herb extracts in my 2 favorite immunity and mental clarity products:

Mushroom Immunity: Over half the formula is Chaga and Reishi. The other half is 32 other extremely potent medicinal mushroom extracts and concentrates. That’s 35 medicinal mushrooms in 1 easy to take formula. It’s a water-soluble dark powder with a mocha-like taste – delicious! Grab yourself a bottle HERE. It’s ideal for us humans to consume Reishi and Chaga near daily for a robust immune system, long life, mental calm and clarity, and peak physical performance.

Longevity in a Bottle: About a 1/4th of this 40-herb formula is medical mushrooms. The other 3/4ths are a huge array of tonic roots, berries, and plants with more of that great immune-strengthening nutrient category: the polysaccharides. Build resilience to stress and massively revitalize your body without have to buy 30 different products. Achieve your next-level health goals with 1 quick and easy tool with thousands of years of medicinal culture behind it: Longevity in a Bottle – grab yourself a bottle HERE.

To your greatest state of health possible,

Christian

**Disclaimer: Results may vary from individual to individual, based on health conditions, diet, weight, physical exercise and lifestyle habits. These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA, and are for informational and educational use only. Our products are not intended to diagnose, treat or cure any disease. Individuals taking medications and those with known medical conditions, as well as pregnant or breastfeeding women, should consult with their holistic physician before using these or any nutritional products. You assume all risks for the use, non-use, and mis-use of the materials above. Your healing powers are alive within you. Thank you.

Before I go into the specific top herbs that beautify your skin in 30 days, there is an idea I want to express to you that is more important than any 1 herb: This idea is that:

Herbs are essential for one’s health. Period.

Even a most wholesome organic modern western diet will skimp on the herbs, or have herbs in small doses for flavoring only. You can take whatever nutritional path you are on, and just ADD HERBS IN! Herbs should have a BIG section in your food pyramid.

The herbs to ‘go to first’ are the tonic herbs which are adaptogenic herbs that tonify the body, are safe for daily use with no side effects, and can be used ongoingly for a lifetime of cumulative benefits.

Here are the top 8 tonic herbs that when taken internally immediately and cumulatively do wonders for nourishing and beautifying the skin and balancing skin conditions:

Fresh schisandra berries galore!

1. Schisandra Berry

Schisandra Berry (Schisandra chinensis), also Schizandra, the “5-flavor berry,” is the most well-rounded-in-effect herb ever. Those 5 flavors (sour/astringent, sweet, bitter, salty, spicy/pungent,) correspond to a wide range of nutrients and effects on the organs of the body. Schisandra’s dominant sour and astringent flavor boosts liver cleansing and thus skin radiance because they are so closely related. Astringency locks in moisture for the skin and helps your body assimilate all other nutrition consumed with schisandra. A richly-red high antioxidant food and herb to be taken daily for beauty through the ages.**

2. Horsetail

Horsetail (Equisetum arvense, Equisetum telmateia, and some other species of the Equisetum genus) is one of the highest bio-available-silica substances ever. And, silica is THE BEAUTY AND YOUTH MINERAL. An extract of a young horsetail plant gives the body the free silica it needs to regenerate tissue and make it soft, supple and strong. Silica is one of the main co-factor nutrients required in bone growth. The more organic silica you can get in your body the more your skin will be baby soft.**

Dried goji berries

3. Goji Berry

A handful of delicious red-orange goji berries (Lyceum barbaric and Lycium chinense) or a couple doses of goji berry extract or tea a day is a tradition going back eons to create a youthening effect in the partaker.** A super-antioxidant, carotenoid-rich, polysaccharide-laden, flavonoid-dense superfood, goji does wonders for your inner and outer body.** It’s not “just a berry.” Try them daily and experience the glow.

4. Eucommia

Eucommia (Eucommia ulmoides) bark is rich in a rubber/latex substance. An extract of this tissue, joint and skeletal repairing material promotes inner health and beauty and helps youthen the skin. An active constituent in Eucommia, aucubin, has been shown to protect the skin against UV radiation and helps prevent photo-aging.**

5. Rehmannia

Use prepared (not raw) rehmannia (Rehmannia glutinosa) root extract for a massive revitalization of the kidneys and nourishment of the liver and blood. When the kidneys (your body’s battery packs), liver and blood are running strong, guess what happens: the skin beautifies with its full natural color and glow.**

Rehmannia tea is THE most grounding elixir ever – as long as you don’t drink too much at once or it will loosen your stool slightly. 😉

6. Red Asparagus Root

Completely different from the asparagus vegetable, Red Asparagus Root is the ancient Taoist tonic herb used by spiritual seekers for generations to produce an open-hearted feeling of levity above the mundane. It cools, moistens and beautifies the skin and recharges the adrenals and sexual functions.**

7. He Shou Wu

Prepared (not raw, just like with rehmannia the raw is not as nourishing) He Shou Wu (Polygonum multiflorum) has been used by tens of millions of people in Asia to nurture beautiful colorful hair. It deeply nourishes and cleanses the organs (which always leads to nourishing and cleansing of the skin). It greatly increases superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity. SOD is a powerful antioxidant (free radical scavenger), demonstrated to have powerful anti-aging benefits in humans.**

8. Pearl

Hydrolyzed Pearl extract has always been considered the quintessential beauty herb for women (and for men as far as I’m concerned.) It is rich in amino acids and trace minerals which nurture the delicate nuances of fantastic skin. Pearl is a top Chinese beauty herb that uplifts the spirit and is the only form of calcium carbonate one should ever take (other forms are mined chalk).** Although not a vegan product, many plant-based folders love to add in pearl to their lifestyle as a strategic beauty food that calms the mind and fills in nutritional gaps. It can be mixed with coconut oil or an organic high quality body butter to make outstanding homemade edible skincare.

Bonus Herb #9:

I like to add this one in as a bonus, but many Russian medicinal mushroom researchers would call this the #1 herb for skin health and whole body vitality: Chaga mushroom sclerotia. Revered for its incredible antioxidant and melanin (think skin pigment and hormone balance) content, this immune strengthening adaptogen has been consumed for eons by humans. In a world of radioactive pollution and radiation from the sun, Chaga is the ultimate protective. Combined with the herbs listed above, we have the ability to repair and tighten up skin. Chaga is great at fighting back at moles, fungal rashes and other mutagenic skin occurrences.**

The richest, most delicious and extremely potent form of He Shou Wu: Our Longevity Power Prepared He Shou Wu.

Chaga sclerotia extract is the main ingredient in Mushroom Immunity. Incredible power in only a teaspoon serving (most mushroom formulas require 1-2 tablespoon dosages to be effective), this coffee-like tasting water-soluble powder goes great in nut mylk, soup, smoothie or dessert!

To your greatest, healthiest and most beautiful from the inside out version of yourself!

-Christian Bates

**Disclaimer: Results may vary from individual to individual, based on health conditions, diet, weight, physical exercise and lifestyle habits. These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA, and are for informational and educational use only. Our products are not intended to diagnose, treat or cure any disease. Individuals taking medications and those with known medical conditions, as well as pregnant or breastfeeding women, should consult with their holistic physician before using these or any nutritional products.